Tradeshow display system

ABSTRACT

A variety of configurations are disclosed for modular tradeshow display systems that can be assembled without the use of tools or other specialized machinery.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/563,425 filed Jul. 31, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to tradeshow displays and morespecifically to tradeshow displays that can be assembled without tools.

BACKGROUND

There remains a need for tradeshow display systems that are portable andeasy to assemble/disassemble. The present invention simplifies theassembly of tradeshow display systems and eliminates the need for tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A variety of configurations are disclosed for modular tradeshow displaysystems that can be assembled without the use of tools or otherspecialized machinery.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a tradeshow display. The tradeshowdisplay may include a first vertical member and a second vertical membereach formed of extruded aluminium and secured at a bottom end by aweighted base. The vertical members each include at least one channelextending vertically along the length. In some aspects, the verticalmembers include multiple sides, for instance four, six or eight sidesand each side may have at least one opening. The channel may include apair of opposing flanges that partially enclose an opening formed by thechannel. In some aspects, the opening point may have parallel sides andsemi-circular openings. In other aspects, the opening may be formed bythe channel has a rounded bottom to urge attachment heads into thechannel. The opposing flanges are equally spaced apart throughout thelength of the vertical member, except in at least one intermediatelocation between the bottom end and a top end and nearer to the top endthan the bottom end where a space between the pair of opposing flangeswidens to form an opening. Each opening on the vertical members willhave a corresponding opening at substantially an equal height to theopening on a corresponding vertical member when the vertical members areused on a substantially horizontal surface. The display may furtherinclude a display panel supported by a rigid frame. The rigid frame mayfurther include attachment heads extending horizontally from both sidesof the rigid frame. Each attachment head includes a head and a shaft.The head has a diameter greater than the channel width as determined bythe distance between the opposing flanges and less than the openingbetween the pair of opposing flanges of the vertical members. The shafthas a diameter less than the first distance between the pair of opposingflanges of the vertical members. In some aspects, the attachment headmay be any type of bolt; including a shoulder bolt. In some embodiments,when the attachment heads are positioned in the openings of thecorresponding first vertical member and second vertical member and thevertical members are placed on a horizontal surface the panel can bemoved downward under gravity to a position where the first attachmenthead and the second attachment head are secured within the pair ofopposing flanges of each of the vertical members. In this embodiment,once positioned the vertical members and the rigid display panel therebyprovides a rigid vertical display structure containing the displaymaterial.

In another aspect, the display material used in the tradeshow displaymay be manufactured from corrugated paper, corrugated plastic, cloth,acrylic, cast acrylic, extruded acrylic, any combination thereof or anyother material appropriate for the display. In another aspect, the topof the rigid frame may include an opening to removably replaceablyreceive the display material. In another aspect, the display materialmay include two layers, a first layer, which provides a rigid supportwithin the frame and a second layer providing a removable andreplaceable graphic for display within the rigid frame.

In another aspect, the rigid frame that supports the display materialmay be formed from extruded aluminum members. In another aspect, thedisplay panel can be configured to form a three-dimensional display. Inanother aspect, the attachment head may include a bolt. In anotheraspect the opening on the vertical member may have parallel sides andsemicircular ends. In another aspect, the opening may be formed by thechannel has a rounded bottom to urge the attachment heads into thechannel. In another aspect, the vertical members may have a plurality ofchannels. In another aspect, each vertical member may have a pluralityof sides and one channel and at least one opening corresponding to eachside of the vertical member. In another aspect, the vertical member maybe rectangular and have one channel and at least one openingcorresponding to each side. In another aspect, each vertical member maybe hexagonal and have one channel and at least one opening correspondingto each side. In another aspect, each vertical member may be octagonaland have one channel and at least one opening corresponding to eachside. In another aspect, a plurality of rigid frames may beinterconnected by a plurality of vertical members and arranged into athree-dimensional display. In another aspect, the plurality of rigidframes may be arranged onto a rectangular footprint. In another aspect,each vertical member will have at least two openings. In a furtheraspect, a system for tool-free assembly of a multi-part tradeshowdisplay wherein the rigid frame of the display has only two attachmentpoints which are connected to vertical members and is held in place bygravity is disclosed. The system may include a pair of vertical memberseach with a channel of a first width with retaining flanges of a secondwidth less than the first width. The system may further include adisplay panel surrounded by a rigid frame and an attachment mechanismconsisting of an attachment head on one side of the rigid frame andanother attachment head on the second side of the rigid frame. In someembodiments, the attachment heads each have a head with a diameterbetween the first width and the second width of the channel and a shafthaving a diameter less than the second width of the channel.

In another aspect of the tool-free assembly, the display material usedin the tradeshow display may be manufactured from corrugated paper,corrugated plastic, cloth, acrylic, cast acrylic, extruded acrylic, anycombination thereof or any other material appropriate for the display.In another aspect, the top of the rigid frame may include an opening toremovably replaceably receive the display material. In another aspect,the display material may include two layers, a first layer, whichprovides a rigid support within the frame and a second layer providing aremovable and replaceable graphic for display within the rigid frame. Inanother aspect, the rigid frame that supports the display material maybe formed from extruded aluminum members. In another aspect, the displaypanel can be configured to form a three-dimensional display. In anotheraspect, the attachment head may include a bolt. In another aspect theopening on the vertical member may have parallel sides and semicircularends. In another aspect, the opening may be formed by the channel has arounded bottom to urge the attachment heads into the channel. In anotheraspect, the vertical members may have a plurality of channels. Inanother aspect, each vertical member may have a plurality of sides andone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side of thevertical member. In another aspect, the vertical member may berectangular and have one channel and at least one opening correspondingto each side. In another aspect, each vertical member may be hexagonaland have one channel and at least one opening corresponding to eachside. In another aspect, each vertical member may be octagonal and haveone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side. Inanother aspect, a plurality of rigid frames may be interconnected by aplurality of vertical members and arranged into a three-dimensionaldisplay. In another aspect, the plurality of rigid frames may bearranged onto a rectangular footprint. In another aspect, each verticalmember will have at least two openings.

In a further aspect, the invention may be a system for tool-freeassembly of a multi-part tradeshow display, which permits rotation ofthe display about the connection points. The system may include a pairof vertical members each having a weighted base and a vertical channelwith a retaining flange and a display surrounded by a rigid frame. Therigid frame may include a pair of attachment heads retained at a pair ofconnection points, a left connection point and a right connection point,within the vertical channels of the vertical members by the retainingflanges.

In another aspect of the tool-free assembly, the display material usedin the tradeshow display may be manufactured from corrugated paper,corrugated plastic, cloth, acrylic, cast acrylic, extruded acrylic, anycombination thereof or any other material appropriate for the display.In another aspect, the top of the rigid frame may include an opening toremovably replaceably receive the display material. In another aspect,the display material may include two layers, a first layer, whichprovides a rigid support within the frame and a second layer providing aremovable and replaceable graphic for display within the rigid frame. Inanother aspect, the rigid frame that supports the display material maybe formed from extruded aluminum members. In another aspect, the displaypanel can be configured to form a three-dimensional display. In anotheraspect, the attachment head may include a bolt. In another aspect theopening on the vertical member may have parallel sides and semicircularends. In another aspect, the opening may be formed by the channel has arounded bottom to urge the attachment heads into the channel. In anotheraspect, the vertical members may have a plurality of channels. Inanother aspect, each vertical member may have a plurality of sides andone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side of thevertical member. In another aspect, the vertical member may berectangular and have one channel and at least one opening correspondingto each side. In another aspect, each vertical member may be hexagonaland have one channel and at least one opening corresponding to eachside. In another aspect, each vertical member may be octagonal and haveone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side. Inanother aspect, a plurality of rigid frames may be interconnected by aplurality of vertical members and arranged into a three-dimensionaldisplay. In another aspect, the plurality of rigid frames may bearranged onto a rectangular footprint. In another aspect, each verticalmember will have at least two openings.

In a further aspect, the apparatus may be a system for tool-freeassembly of a multi-part tradeshow display where the assembled tradeshowdisplay achieves structural stability using its own weight. The systemmay include a pair of vertical members each having a weighted base and avertical channel with a retaining flange and a point where the retainingflanges widen to receive an object into the vertical channel, a displaysurrounded by a rigid frame, and a pair of attachment heads on a leftside and a right side of the rigid frame. The attachment points areretained at a respective pair of connection points within the verticalchannels of the vertical members away from the insertion point by theretaining flanges when the pair of vertical members and the display arepositioned for use on a substantially horizontal surface. The attachmentheads permit rotation about the connection points and the retainingflanges limit translational movement of the connection points to a pathalong the vertical channel and the pair of attachment heads arepositioned on a top half of the rigid frame and the insertion point isat a different height than the pair of attachment heads when the pair ofvertical members and the display are positioned for use. The rigid frameis retained from downward movement by the substantially horizontalsurface and retained in a vertical orientation by the vertical channelsand the retaining flanges of the pair of vertical members.

In another aspect of the tool-free assembly, the display material usedin the tradeshow display may be manufactured from corrugated paper,corrugated plastic, cloth, acrylic, cast acrylic, extruded acrylic, anycombination thereof or any other material appropriate for the display.In another aspect, the top of the rigid frame may include an opening toremovably replaceably receive the display material. In another aspect,the display material may include two layers, a first layer, whichprovides a rigid support within the frame and a second layer providing aremovable and replaceable graphic for display within the rigid frame. Inanother aspect, the rigid frame that supports the display material maybe formed from extruded aluminum members. In another aspect, the displaypanel can be configured to form a three-dimensional display. In anotheraspect, the attachment head may include a bolt. In another aspect theopening on the vertical member may have parallel sides and semicircularends. In another aspect, the opening may be formed by the channel has arounded bottom to urge the attachment heads into the channel. In anotheraspect, the vertical members may have a plurality of channels. Inanother aspect, each vertical member may have a plurality of sides andone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side of thevertical member. In another aspect, the vertical member may berectangular and have one channel and at least one opening correspondingto each side. In another aspect, each vertical member may be hexagonaland have one channel and at least one opening corresponding to eachside. In another aspect, each vertical member may be octagonal and haveone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side. Inanother aspect, a plurality of rigid frames may be interconnected by aplurality of vertical members and arranged into a three-dimensionaldisplay. In another aspect, the plurality of rigid frames may bearranged onto a rectangular footprint. In another aspect, each verticalmember will have at least two openings.

In a further aspect, the apparatus may be a system for tool-freeassembly of a multi-part tradeshow display with a pair of verticalmembers each having a weighted base and a vertical channel with aretaining flange and at least one insertion point with an opening wherethe retaining flanges widen to receive an object into the verticalchannel. The assembly further includes a display surrounded by a rigidframe. The assembly further includes a pair of attachment heads on aleft side and a right side of the rigid frame, the pair of attachmentpoints retained at a respective pair of connection points within thevertical channels of the vertical members away from the insertion pointby the retaining flanges when the pair of vertical members and thedisplay are positioned for use on a substantially horizontal surface.Wherein the attachment heads permit rotation about the connection pointsand the retaining flanges limit translational movement of the connectionpoints to a path along the vertical channel, and wherein the pair ofattachment heads are positioned on a top half of the rigid frame andeach insertion point is at a different height than the pair ofattachment heads when the pair of vertical members and the display arepositioned for use, whereby the rigid frame is retained from downwardmovement by the substantially horizontal surface and retained in avertical orientation by the vertical channels and the retaining flangesof the pair of vertical members.

In another aspect of the tool-free assembly, the display material usedin the tradeshow display may be manufactured from corrugated paper,corrugated plastic, cloth, acrylic, cast acrylic, extruded acrylic, anycombination thereof or any other material appropriate for the display.In another aspect, the top of the rigid frame may include an opening toremovably replaceably receive the display material. In another aspect,the display material may include two layers, a first layer, whichprovides a rigid support within the frame and a second layer providing aremovable and replaceable graphic for display within the rigid frame. Inanother aspect, the rigid frame that supports the display material maybe formed from extruded aluminum members. In another aspect, the displaypanel can be configured to form a three-dimensional display. In anotheraspect, the attachment head may include a bolt. In another aspect theopening on the vertical member may have parallel sides and semicircularends. In another aspect, the opening may be formed by the channel has arounded bottom to urge the attachment heads into the channel. In anotheraspect, the vertical members may have a plurality of channels. Inanother aspect, each vertical member may have a plurality of sides andone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side of thevertical member. In another aspect, the vertical member may berectangular and have one channel and at least one opening correspondingto each side. In another aspect, each vertical member may be hexagonaland have one channel and at least one opening corresponding to eachside. In another aspect, each vertical member may be octagonal and haveone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side. Inanother aspect, a plurality of rigid frames may be interconnected by aplurality of vertical members and arranged into a three-dimensionaldisplay. In another aspect, the plurality of rigid frames may bearranged onto a rectangular footprint. In another aspect, each verticalmember will have at least two openings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will beappreciated more fully from the following further description thereof,with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being on the inventiveaspects of this disclosure. In the following drawings, like numbers areused to refer to like elements:

FIG. 1 depicts a fully assembled tradeshow display with the displaypanel fully expanded and joined with the vertical members;

FIG. 2 depicts a base plate for the tradeshow display;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of portions of a trade show display;

FIG. 4A depicts the opening in the flange of a vertical member;

FIG. 4B depicts one possible cross section of the vertical member;

FIG. 4C depicts an attachment connected to the vertical member;

FIG. 5 depicts a tradeshow display 500 with a partially expanded foldingdisplay panel;

FIG. 6 depicts a partially assembled tradeshow display with the displaypanel fully expanded;

FIG. 7 depicts a partially assembled tradeshow display with the displaypanel partially expanded and joined with the vertical members;

FIG. 8A depicts a middle frame assembly 800 of a display panel;

FIG. 8B depicts a top view cross section of a middle display panel;

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a top cap for a display panel;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a rotating hinge;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a rotating hinge;

FIGS. 10A-10C depict a left side frame assembly of the display panel;and

FIG. 11 depicts a display side panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To provide an overall understanding of the invention, certainillustrative embodiments will now be described, including tradeshowdisplays with various tools-free assembly mechanisms. However, it willbe understood that the methods and systems described herein can besuitably adapted to any tradeshow display or other context wheretemporary and/or portable display systems might be usefully deployed.These and other applications of the systems described herein areintended to fall within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a fully assembled tradeshow display 100 with the displaypanel 102 fully expanded and attached to vertical members 104. Thedisplay panel 102 may be placed within a frame 106. In one embodiment,the tradeshow display 100 further includes side panels 108. The sidepanels 108 are also joined to the vertical members 104. The verticalmembers 104 are assembled on a base assembly 110. As shown in thisembodiment, the display panel 102 may be comprised of two side panels112 and one center panel 114. In other embodiments, multiple centerpanels 114 may be used to either expand the width of the tradeshowdisplay 100 or create a perception of depth by the use of rotatinghinges 804 (described in greater detail in FIGS. 8A-8C) to angle thedisplay panels 102.

Each panel 108, 112, 114 may include any suitable graphics for anintended use such as company logos, contextual photographs, drawings,informational materials, artwork, and so forth. The graphics may bepainted or printed on to the panels 108, 112, 114, or applied as alaminate with adhesive. In other embodiments, the graphics may beprovided as a separate sheet of plastic or other material that can slideinto the frame 106 between the vertical members 104 so that each graphiccan be readily removed and replaced to afford re-use of the tradeshowdisplay 100 for different vendors, or for the same vendor in differentcontexts. As described in greater detail below, each panel frame mayinclude an open slot in a top thereof to removably and replaceablyreceive display materials

FIG. 2 depicts a base assembly 200 for the tradeshow display. The baseassembly 200 may include at least two base plates 202. The base plates202 may be sufficiently weighted to support a vertical member (not shownin this view). Each base plate 202 may further include a peg 204 fixedto the base plate 202. The peg 204 may be a simple peg inserted into acorresponding hole in a vertical member 104 and may be of sufficientlength to attach and prevent the vertical member 104 from slipping out.In other embodiments, the peg 204 may be formed to correspond withchannels and flanges (not shown in this view) formed in the verticalmember 104.

Further, the base assembly 200 may include a template 206 that alignsthe base plates 202 at predetermined locations in order to simplify theassembly of the tradeshow display. In some embodiments, the template 206may form a portion of the tradeshow display, and may include carpeting,hardwood or simulated hardwood panels, rubber flooring, a mat of anysuitable material, or any other flooring material or the like for thedisplay. In another aspect, the template may be a removable templateprinted on paper, plastic, or any other thing material that can berolled or folded for delivery, and removed once the bases plates 202have been positioned. The template 206 may include cut-outs shaped andsized to receive the base plates 202 in appropriate positions in orderto afford easy removal of the template 206 after assembly of thedisplay. In another aspect, the template 206 may include graphics or acolor pattern corresponding to the display panels and/or an intended useof the tradeshow display.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of portions of a trade show display 300. Inthis view, the vertical members 302 are installed on the pegs, asdiscussed above. The vertical members 302 are placed on the pegs bysliding the pegs into the channel (the channel is described in moredetail in FIG. 4A). In some embodiments, the vertical member 302 may befixed to the peg by a spring loaded detent and a corresponding receiverfor the detent in the vertical member 302 or the vertical member 302 maybe fixed to the peg by a pin or other insert. In other embodiments, thevertical member 302 may be fixed to the peg simply by the weight of thevertical member 302. Similarly, any latching or attachment mechanismusing, e.g., knobs, levers, sliders, or the like may be suitablyemployed. Once the vertical members 302 are fixed on the pegs the sidepanels 304 and the display panel 306 can be mounted to the verticalmembers 302. The display panel 306 is shown folded closed in a conditionfor shipping, and may unfold as described below in further detail tospan the two rear vertical members 302 in FIG. 3.

It will be noted that the depicted tradeshow display has taller verticalmembers 302 in the rear thereof, thus providing a full-height back walland lower side walls consistent with a typical tradeshow booth. However,these heights are optional, and any suitable height may be usedincluding, e.g., full-height sidewalls for a more private enclosure, ora lower-height back wall to permit display of a product or other itemsbehind the back wall. More generally, any arrangement and selection ofheights suitable for an intended design may be accommodated with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 4A depicts an opening 402 in the flanges 404 of a vertical member400. In some embodiments, an attachment head (one embodiment shown inFIG. 4C) may be placed within the opening 402 and moved downward undergravity to a position where the attachment head is secured between theflanges 404. The opening 402 may be formed between a pair of opposingflanges 404, 405. The flanges 404, 405 may generally be a uniformdistance from each other along the length of the vertical member 400.This distance may be sufficient to allow the attachment mechanism suchas an attachment head to slide freely along the axis of the verticalmember 400 (that is the axis along the length of the vertical member400, which would be a vertical axis when the vertical member 400 isoriented in its upright, vertical position during use), yet sufficientlynarrow so that the head of the attachment mechanism is retained withinthe vertical member 400 by the opposing flanges 404, 405. At apredetermined location, the distance between the flanges 404, 405 mayincrease to a sufficient distance to allow the head of the attachmentmechanism to be either inserted into or removed from the channel alongthe vertical member 400.

In other embodiments, the opening 402 may be wide enough to allow thehead of the attachment mechanism to be inserted into the channel, butthen narrows such that the width of the attachment mechanism body iswider than the distance between flanges 404, 405 and prevent theattachment head from sliding further down. That is, the flanges 404, 405may collapse sufficiently close to one another (or connect to oneanother to fully enclose the channel) moving along the vertical axis ofthe vertical member 400 to limit or prevent movement of the attachmentmechanism beyond a predetermined axial position.

It will further be appreciated that while the opening is shown as havinga generally oval shape, a variety of other shapes may also or instead beused. For example, the opening may be generally circular, or may have awedge or triangular shape that urges the attachment mechanism into acentered position in the channel as the attachment mechanism slideswithin the channel and axially along the vertical member 400. In otherembodiments, the opening 402 may form an “L” or inverted “7” shape sothat the attachment mechanism, once secured to the vertical membercannot be moved directly upward, but must instead be moved horizontallyto align with the vertical portion of the opening, after which theattachment mechanism can be moved vertically toward the portion of theopening 402 that permits the attachment mechanism to disengage from thevertical member 400.

FIG. 4B depicts one possible cross section of a vertical member 400.Many possible cross section of vertical member 400 may be used to createtradeshow displays with different angles and other features. Asdepicted, each side of the vertical member 400 includes a channel 401bounded by a pair of flanges 404, 405 that can slidably retain anattachment head therein. The interior of the vertical member 400 may beshaped and sized to receive a post 410 or other supporting member of abase as described above. The vertical member 400 can be formed in avariety of shapes. The shape of the vertical member 400 can bedetermined by the required setup of the tradeshow display. Trade showdisplays may be needed to fit a particular space at a show. Typically,the spaces at a show are rectangular and a square vertical member 400may be provided with functional surfaces in a square or rectangulararrangement (as depicted in FIG. 4B) to accommodate this rectangulargeometry. However, in other circumstances the space may be of analternate shape, or a different shape of the display may be desired. Forexample, a space may be circular on at least one side and the displaywill have to closely conform to that space. In this instance, thevertical members might be shaped to have more sides than a rectangle.Potential shapes for the vertical member 400 might include a hexagon oran octagon, which afford more angles at which to join panels of thedisplay. Similarly, a free standing sign within a display or otherwisepositioned on a display floor, may be suitable formed using panels Otherpotential shapes can be usefully created by mixing and matching verticalmembers having different cross sectional shapes in order to createpatterns and shapes to conform a tradeshow space or to create displaythat can convey the message desired by the entity using the display.

The vertical members may be manufactured through a variety of methods,including extrusion. Extrusion may generally be any process of shaping amaterial by forcing the material though a die with a predetermined crosssection. The extrusion process can be done using either hot or coldmaterials. The extrusion process allows for the formation of complexcross sections including the cross section shown in FIG. 4B, octagons,hexagons, or any other shape. The shape will be determined by thedesired application. Further, the extrusion process allows for the useof a variety of materials including metals, ceramics, plastics and manymore. The material selected will depend on the application. Metals,including aluminium, may be used for applications that require a certainamount of shear strength, while other material such as plastics may beused for weight and/or cost saving which would allow for lower shippingcosts where the strength of extruded aluminium is not required. Further,the extrusion process allows for vertical members that can be of anylength necessary. As seen in FIG. 1, the vertical members 104 may be ofa variety of lengths. The length, in addition to the shape, will allowfor tradeshow displays of a variety of complexities from a simplerectangle with a flat background to complex shapes with a variety ofheights, which could create complex three-dimensional shapes accordingto a desired design and layout.

FIG. 4C depicts an attachment mechanism 406 connected to the verticalmember 400. The attachment mechanism 406 may be threaded into the frame408 of either a display panel, the frame 408 having been tapped andthreaded to receive the attachment mechanism 406, a side panel, or anyother panel to be connected to a vertical member 400. The attachmentmechanism 406 may also or instead be threaded into a captive nut or thelike retained within the frame 408.

The head 410 of the attachment mechanism 406 (also referred to herein asan attachment head 410) may be slipped into the opening (discussed inFIG. 4A) of the flange 404 of the vertical member 400. In thisembodiment, the head 410 is held in place by the narrowing of the flange404, which is narrower than the shoulder 412 of the attachment 406 atevery point except at an opening.

The attachment mechanism 406 may be either permanently or removablyattached to the frame 408. It should be noted that any type of bolt, ormore generally any metal or other suitably strong and suitable shapedinsert, may be used. In one aspect, this may be conveniently achievedwith convention hardware such as a shoulder bolt having three parts. Thefirst is the head, which is slid into the opening of the flange andprevents the display from moving laterally with respect to the displayframe. The second is the shoulder, which is narrower than the opening ofthe flange but wider than every other point of the flange and once inplace prevents the display from moving vertically with respect to thevertical member. The shoulder also assists in the assembly of thetradeshow display by determining the amount of the bolt that will beexposed beyond frame without having to measure the exposed length. Thethird is the thread, which is used to attach the bolt to a hole that hasbeen tapped and threaded in the frame. It will be noted that where abolt is threaded to a display panel, this is preferably performed priorto shipping of the parts of the display to a venue if tools-freeassembly at the venue is desired.

The shape of the attachment mechanism may usefully permit rotation ofthe frame when joined to one or more vertical members. This allows thedisplay to rotate about the connection point in order to angle thedisplay as required by the final specifications of the trade showdisplay. Thus in one aspect, the connection point is constrained tomovement in two ways—first by sliding along the axis of the verticalmember, and second by rotation about the connection point. In thismanner, the panel may be conveniently handled and maneuvered duringintermediate assembly steps, such as by permitting gripping by the sideswhile retained within the channel of a vertical member at the connectionpoint.

In one aspect, one or more of the panels may be directly and permanentlysecured (i.e., secured against disassembly with bolts, adhesives or anyother joining mechanisms) to one or more of the vertical members. Thisarrangement into a two-dimensional panel with vertical members attachedthereto may nonetheless be conveniently stacked with other componentsfor storage or shipping, and may usefully reduce assembly time byproviding a tradeshow display that arrives at a venue partiallyassembled. In another aspect, one or more panels may be convenientlyassembled to one or more vertical members without use of openings intoretaining channels. That is, during assembly one or more of theattachment heads may be slid into one or more vertical member from anopen end of the vertical member. Thus various embodiments may usedifferent numbers of openings according to an intended assembly plan,all without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a tradeshow display 500 with a partially expanded foldingdisplay panel 502. A rigid frame 504 surrounds the display panel 502.The display panel 502 may be a single-piece panel or hinged multi-piecedpanels. Each display panel 502 of the tradeshow display 100 may be madeof corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, cast acrylic, extrudedacrylic, rolled laminate, other plastic(s), cloth, canvas, or any othermaterial or combination of materials that may be fashioned into sheetsand retained within the frame 504. In the embodiment shown, the displaypanel 502 may be slid into the frame 504, which is then attached tovertical members 506 by attachments 508 and held in place by gravity.

In one aspect, the rear vertical members 506 may each include an openingfor side panels (not shown) of the display as described above, while thefront vertical members 506 may omit a machined or otherwise formedopening. Instead, the attachment for the side panels may be inserteddirectly into an open top of the channel in the forward vertical members506 during assembly. While not shown, it will further be understood thata cap or other aesthetic feature may be placed into or over the open topsurface of each vertical member 506 as desired.

FIG. 6 depicts a partially assembled tradeshow display 600 with thedisplay panel 602 fully expanded. The display panel 602 supported by theframe 604 may be attached to the vertical members 605 by use ofattachment mechanisms 606 such as those described above. An attachmentmechanism 606 may extend horizontally from both sides of the frame 604.Each attachment mechanism 606 may have a body that has a narrowerdiameter than the diameter of the head of the attachment mechanism 606.For example, the attachment mechanism 606 may be a bolt. The head of theattachment mechanism 606 can be inserted into an opening 608 and sliddown a channel 610. An opening 608 is located at an intermediate pointalong channel 610. Further, multiple openings 608 may be located alongthe channel 610, in order to provide for the attachment of multiplebolts. Similarly, side panels 612 are attached at both ends to thevertical members 605 using corresponding attachment mechanism 606 andopening 608. The openings 608 may be located near the same height as acorresponding attachment head of one of the panels when the verticalmember and panel are placed on a horizontal surface and positioned foruse (e.g., upright or vertical). In this context, the opening 608 may besomewhat higher or lower than the height of the corresponding attachmenthead so that the panel may be raised and, after the attachment head isinserted into the opening, lowered to a floor or other supportingsurface. Conversely, the opening may be somewhat higher than theattachment head, in which case the panel may be tilted (to lower theattachment head) and, once the attachment head is inserted, straightenedupright as the attachment head slides in the channel of the verticalmember to a location where the attachment head is retained within thechannel by the flanges of the vertical member as described above.

In some embodiments, the display panel 602, the side panel 612, and anyother panels that may be used in the final display configuration chosenby the user will hang from the attachment mechanism 606 by means ofgravity, such as where the flanges join together to form a bottomsupport for the sliding attachment head. In other embodiments, thepanel(s) may slide downward until a bottom edge of the panel touches afloor or other supporting surface. In either case, a panel may becoupled to a vertical member in a manner pivotally connected to andslidably engaged within a channel, in which position the panel isretained under gravitational forces without use of tools or othercouplings. In other embodiments, multiple attachment mechanisms 606 maybe used to secure the panels. In other embodiments, a peg attached tothe vertical member 605 may be used to prevent the display panel 602 andthe side panel 612 from swinging. Similarly, weights or other supportsmay be used on a bottom of each panel to prevent swinging or otherdisplacement.

Numerous variations to this basic coupling technique are possible. Inone aspect, one or more of the vertical members may not include anyopenings in the flanges, such as where panel assemblies are loaded froma top of bottom of the vertical member(s). In another aspect, a verticalmember may include more than one opening, such as where a panel assemblyhas two or more attachment heads on each side, or where the verticalmember is designed for different panels of different heights. In anotheraspect, each panel may consist of a single attachment head on each oftwo opposing sides, or each panel may consist of a pair of attachmentsheads on each of two opposing sides. More generally, numerous variationsare possible to the techniques described herein, and all such variationsare intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a partially partial assembled tradeshow display 700 witha folding display panel 704 fully expanded and joined with the verticalmembers 706. Further, it shows the side panels 708 with one end 730attached to the same vertical member 706 as the folding display panel704. The other end 732 of the side panel 708 is about to be lowered andinserted into a channel 715 in a corresponding vertical member 706wherein the attachment mechanism 716 can be lowered and secured into thechannel 715 of the vertical member 706.

FIG. 8A depicts a middle frame assembly 800 of a display panel. Themiddle frame 800 may include a top cap 802, at least one rotating hinge804 (discussed in more detail in FIG. 8B) and a display panel 808. Therotating hinges 804 may be secured to either side of the display panel808. In the embodiment shown, the edges of a display panel 808 slideinto a groove 803 (FIG. 8B) formed on an inside of each rotating hinge804.

FIG. 8B depicts a top view cross section of a middle display panelincluding rotating hinges 804. Each rotating hinge 804 allows adjacentdisplay panels to be secured to one another while permitting the panelsto rotate through a range of relative angles to one another. This may beused, for example, to accommodate angled arrangements of displays, orfor folding of displays for shipping, storage, and the like.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a top cap 802 for a display panel. Thetop cap 802 may include a slot 805 or other opening through which thedisplay panel 808 can be removably and replaceably inserted into theframe assembly 800. The display panel 808 may be supported within theassembly by gravity, or the display panel 808 may be secured within theassembly by the means of fasteners, such as screws, bolts or adhesives.In another aspect, the top cap 802 may not include any opening, and maybe secured on the top of the display panel 808 after the display panel808 is inserted into the grooves 803 of the rotating hinges 804.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a rotating hinge 804. The rotatinghinge 804 may be formed with multiple grooves 910 at a predeterminedpoints along a predetermined radius around a center point 912, whichgeneral shape may be formed in an extrusion or using any other suitablefabrication technique. By placing the grooves at a predetermined radius,the opposing sides of the hinge form a rolling contact joint that can besecured using a fastener spanning the corresponding center points 912.Thus it is possible to keep the center point 912 of two correspondingrotating hinges 804 at a constant distance regardless of the angle atwhich they are placed. It will be appreciated that the radius may alsoor instead be varied so that, for example, the rotating hinge 804provides increasing resistance to angulation as the relative angle oftwo joined panels increases. It will be appreciated that the term“rotating hinge” as used herein may refer to one half of such ahinge—that is, the mechanical configuration of a panel edge that permitsjoined rotation—or to an assembled pair of such halves. It will furtherbe appreciated that, while the rotating hinge described herein can bereadily and conveniently fabricated by extrusion, other hinges are knownin the art and may be suitably adapted to rotatably join display panelsas contemplated herein.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a rotating hinge. As depicted in FIG.9B, with a fixed relationship between centers, the two sides of therotating hinge may be secured with a fastener 913 including two pins 914and a bracket 916 that secures the pins within the extruded crosssection of each side. With this arrangement, the opposing sides can alsobe maintained at a fixed distance relative to one another. It will beunderstood that more than one fastener 913 may be used to secure the twosides of the hinge, such as with a number of such fasteners and pinsalong the length of adjacent panels. In this manner, the panels may behingeably and rotatably coupled to one another.

In addition, any suitable locking mechanism may be provided to secure ahinge at a desired angle. For example, a u-bracket or the like may bedropped over a top of the adjacent panels at the hinge in order tomaintain two hingeably-coupled panels in a planar orientation, e.g.,after unfolding for use, or in any other desired relative orientation.Similarly, a rod or the like may be inserted through a rigid top memberof two adjacent panels to secure the desired relative orientation. Moregenerally, any additional hardware, such as tools-free hardware, may beused to position hinged panels relative to one another for use in atradeshow display.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict a left side frame assembly 1000 of the displaypanel. It will be understood that the right side frame assembly may ingeneral be the mirror image of the left side frame assembly 1000. Insome embodiments, a side frame assembly 1000 consists of an end frame1020, which is attached to the vertical member by attachment mechanism1022 (as discussed above), a display panel 1008, and a rotating hinge1004. This embodiment allows for the side frame assembly to remain fixedwith respect to the vertical member (e.g., on the left side of FIG. 10B)while allowing for a rotatable orientation with respect to an adjacentpanel joined to the frame assembly 1000 on an opposing side (e.g., onthe right side of FIG. 10B). The side frame assembly top cap 1024 mayhave either two rounded ends like the middle frame top cap 802 or arounded end 1026 and a square end 1028. It will further be understoodthat a right side frame assembly may be provided having complementaryfeatures to join to a vertical member on its right side. The top cap1024 may optionally include a slot to permit removal and replacement ofdisplay materials in the frame assembly 1000.

FIG. 11 depicts a display side panel 1100. The display side panel 1100may be assembled with either rotating hinges or fixed side rails 1102(as shown). The sided panel 1100 may be connected to vertical members byone attachment mechanism 1104 (as discussed above with respect to thedisplay panels) or with two attachment mechanisms 1104 per end (asshown). It will be understood that the display panels may also beattached using multiple attachment mechanisms per end. The side rail topcaps 1106 may cover discrete sections of the side panel 1100 (asdiscussed above with respect to the display panels) or may run thelength of the side panel (as shown). It will be understood that thedisplay panels may also have top caps that run the entire length of thedisplay panel, that is, across multiple separate panels with or withoutintervening vertical members. In addition, each top cap may have a slotas described above so that graphics panels or the like can be removablyand replaceably inserted into the rigid frame of a panel in order tochange or update graphics for a tradeshow display.

In some embodiments, the entire tradeshow display may be disassembledand all the panels and hardware associated may be laid flat and placedin a box for ease of shipment and storage.

While various embodiments have been disclosed, it will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments andimplementations are possible within the scope of the claims.Accordingly, the present application is not to be restricted except inlight of the attached claims and their equivalents.

1. A system for tool-free assembly of a multi-part tradeshow display,the system comprising: a pair of vertical members each having a weightedbase and a vertical channel with a retaining flange and an opening wherethe retaining flange widens to receive an object into the verticalchannel; and a display surrounded by a rigid frame, the rigid frameincluding a pair of attachment heads retained at a pair of connectionpoints, a left connection point and a right connection point, within thevertical channels of the vertical members by the retaining flanges,wherein the attachment heads permit rotation about the connection pointsand the retaining flanges limit translational movement of the connectionpoints to a path along the vertical channel.
 2. The system of claim 1wherein the display includes corrugated cardboard.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the display includes corrugated plastic.
 4. The systemof claim 1 wherein the display includes cloth.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein the display includes acrylic.
 6. The system of claim 1 whereinthe display includes cast acrylic.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein thedisplay includes extruded acrylic.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein atop of the rigid frame includes an opening to removably and replaceablyreceive the display.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the displayincludes two layers, a first layer providing a rigid support within therigid frame and a second layer providing a removable and replaceablegraphic for display within the rigid frame.
 10. The system of claim 1wherein the rigid frame is formed from extruded aluminum members. 11.The system of claim 1 wherein the attachment heads include a bolt. 12.The system of claim 1 wherein the opening has parallel sides andsemi-circular ends.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein each opening isformed by the channel has a rounded bottom to urge attachment heads intothe channel.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein each vertical member hasa plurality of channels.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein each verticalmember has a plurality of sides and has one channel and at least oneopening corresponding to each side of the vertical member.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein each vertical member is rectangular and hasone channel and at least one opening corresponding to each side.
 17. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein each vertical member is hexagonal and has onechannel and at least one opening corresponding to each side.
 18. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein each vertical member is octagonal and has onechannel and at least one opening corresponding to each side.
 19. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of rigid framesinterconnected by a plurality of vertical members and arranged into athree-dimensional display.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein theplurality of rigid frames are arranged onto a rectangular footprint.